bonny
adjective
pleasing to the eye; handsome; pretty.
bonny
American
[bon-ee]
/ ˈbɒn i /
Or
bonnie
adjective
bonnier,
bonniest
-
Chiefly Scot. pleasing to the eye; handsome; pretty.
-
British Dialect.
-
(of people) healthy, sweet, and lively.
-
(of places) placid; tranquil.
-
pleasing; agreeable; good.
-
adverb
noun
bonny
1
British
/ ˈbɒnɪ /
adjective
-
dialect beautiful or handsome
a bonny lass
-
merry or lively
a bonny family
-
good or fine
a bonny house
-
(esp of babies) plump
-
dialect considerable; to be reckoned with
cost a bonny penny
adverb
Bonny
2
British
/ ˈbɒnɪ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bonny
1425–75; late Middle English ( Scots ) bonie, perhaps < Old French bon good + -ie -y 1, perhaps by analogy with jolie jolly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They added: "A sad loss at such a young age. RIP Dale. Sleep well bonny lad."
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2023
And Coach Kliff Kingsbury, the bonny prince plucked from Texas Tech in 2019, was scheduled to receive his comeuppance by now.
From New York Times ● Oct. 6, 2021
“It’s bonny, happy, chirpy, fun,” director Richmond says of the score, noting that it’s hardly what audiences will expect the witches to sing.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 5, 2018
Basically, Claire pulls the 18th century equivalent of a #yesallwomen campaign, and celebrates her victory by standing on a buttress and smiling vacantly at some wee bonny children.
From Time ● Aug. 16, 2014
Still, it was a June day to be blithe and bonny in.
From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt
In light of the administration’s security strategy, the sale shows “its actions are aligning with its words,” said Bonny Lin, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
Inter coach Cristian Chivu started with Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny up front, benching Marcus Thuram after Sunday's disappointing derby defeat by AC Milan.
From Barron's ● Nov. 26, 2025
Calvert makes pottery with her daughter, Nancy Lingemann, and son-in-law, John Lingemann, on May 27, 2025, in Bonny Doon, Calif.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2025
Lee Calvert stands in the living room of her daughter’s home in Bonny Doon, Calif., in May 27.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2025
A band began playing “That Bonny Blue Flag,” in Lee’s honor.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
While some of his ban mots may have grown bonnier in telling, and others may be wholly apocryphal, who can say for sure?
From Time Magazine Archive
“Not a bit, and you never will. You’ve grown bigger and bonnier, but you are the same scapegrace as ever.”
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
A Highlander, in speaking favourably of his wife, is reported to have misquoted this, and characterized her as being "bonnier than she was better."
From The Proverbs of Scotland by Alexander Hislop
Lowly there thou lies, my lassie, Lowly there thou lies; A bonnier form ne'er went to the yird Nor frae it will arise!
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 379, May, 1847 by Various
One year ago no happier, bonnier, brighter face could have been seen at the Point than that of Nannie McKay.
From Starlight Ranch and Other Stories of Army Life on the Frontier by Charles King
The prams of Britain are filled with the bonniest babies in living memory.
From Time Magazine Archive
So he suggested a cat instead, “the bonniest little cat ye ever did see.”
From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn
He was not, as Mr. Taylor would have put it, looking his "brightest and bonniest."
From The Setons by O. Douglas
When Fyvie looked the letter on,95 He was baith sad and sorry: Says—"The bonniest lass o' the country-side Has died for Andrew Lammie."
From English and Scottish Ballads, Volume II (of 8) by Various
How! how!" answered the gaberlunzie, taking the pipes suddenly frae his mouth—"no let ye dance wi' a decent callant, the bonniest hensure o' the hail menyie!
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 4 by Various
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